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Reasons to Reopen Your Iowa Workers Comp Case

A work injury isn’t always something that a quick visit to the doctor can fix. Sometimes, your injuries might be difficult to calculate and even more difficult to recover from. You might be struggling with injuries that takes weeks or even months to heal. Worse, you might find that your workers comp benefits simply aren’t meeting your needs.

There are a few reasons you might want to reopen your Iowa workers comp case. In most cases, it can help you recover the damages you deserve for your serious loss. An experienced lawyer can help you through this process.

Your Injury Worsened

When you agreed to your workers comp benefits, it might have been agreed that you’ll have a certain amount of time to recover from your injury. It’s expected that, at the end of that period, you should be in better health and able to work.

Unfortunately, not all injuries are that simple.

Instead, you might have suffered a major injury that worsened over time. For example, a back injury may already leave you unable to work. If the damage worsens, though, you might need to reopen the case to change your settlement amount. Your workers comp benefits should reflect your needs for recovery, so if your needs aren’t being met, reach out to an attorney to seek out a new settlement.

You Suffered Secondary Injuries

Some injuries don’t just affect one part of the body. Instead, they can weaken other parts of the body. That leaves you to suffer injuries that, while not the same as the initial injury, wouldn’t have happened without the original injury.

For example, let’s say you suffered a spine injury that required surgery. The surgery helped the first injury, but you also suffered a surgical injury or infection because of your treatment. Because you wouldn’t have suffered this injury if the first work accident hadn’t happened, you might be entitled to compensation for these injuries, too.

Reopen Your Case with a Lawyer’s Help

When you’re hurt at work, you need your full workers comp benefits to cover your injuries and related damages from your accident. Sadly, many workers go without workers compensation they need because aren’t sure whether they can reopen their Iowa case.

Iowa workers should have a chance to revisit their cases and get the full benefits they deserve. Because that can be difficult, though, you’ll need an Iowa workers comp lawyer from Pothitakis Law Firm, PC on your side. We’ll help you secure your full benefits, starting with a free consultation. There, we’ll discuss your options for appealing to reopen your claim.

When you’re ready, get started by reaching out for your free claim review. Give us a call at 319-754-6400 or visit us on our website to learn more about our services.

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Common Workplace Injuries in the Construction Industry

Although safety regulations have come a long way, construction can still be a dangerous job. Although workers have new safety features in place to protect them, accidents can still happen, and those accidents can turn deadly quickly.

Unfortunately, that means that some of the most common workplace injuries in the construction industry can be dangerous. Make sure that you watch for the following accident types or, if you’ve already been injured, make sure you have a lawyer on your side to give your claim its best chance at success.

Injuries from Falls

Many construction jobs require some time far above the ground. Although you should have safety restraints and other tools to protect you, a fall from a great height can cause catastrophic injuries.

Even a trip or slip can leave you with a severe head, neck, or back injury. A strain can leave you unable to work until your muscles have time to heal, and that can require ongoing physical therapy. Head injuries, unfortunately, can be especially complex and difficult.

If you’ve fallen, your injuries can range from a short time away from work to a lifetime of impairment because of your accident. Make sure you’re seeking the full compensation for your accident.

Heavy Machinery Accidents

While working on a construction site, chances are good that you spend a lot of time working with heavy machinery, such as cars, trucks, and other equipment. Unfortunately, an accident involving these machines can be dangerous.

For example, let’s say you were involved in a forklift accident where it overturned. You might suffer crushing injuries, such as broken bones or severe impact resulting in amputations. Whiplash, internal bleeding, and other severe injuries are all possibilities during an accident. Because of this, you’ll need to seek out legal aid as soon as possible for your injuries.  

Electrocution

Working in the construction industry means that you might also work closely with the electrical parts of a building. Unfortunately, if safety regulations aren’t met, you could be electrocuted and seriously injured.

Electrocution can leave you with severe burns, which can lead to infections and may require extensive treatment. That means a long and expensive recovery, especially if you need skin treatments such as skin grafts. If you’ve been electrocuted on the job, it can be tough to recover without financial help.  

Contact an Attorney for Accident Aid

It’s unfortunate, but dealing with any of the common workplace injuries in the construction industry can be difficult. Despite the safety measures IN place, accidents still happen, and you might be the one left unable to work.

An Iowa workers comp lawyer from Pothitakis Law Firm, PC can help. When you’re struggling to recover after a serious construction accident, you may need your workers comp benefits or compensation to completely recover. If you’re struggling to get those funds, reach out for help with your claim.

Struggling to recover from your workplace injury? Get help by calling 319-754-6400 or by visiting us online for more information.  

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Can I Get Workers Comp After Being Hurt on a Work Trip?

When you're injured during your average business day, it's easy to know whether your injury is covered by workers comp. You were on the job, and you were injured on the job, so coverage shouldn't be in question.

Sadly, not every case is so simple. For example, some people end up taking work trips and being injured in the process. So, can you get workers comp after being hurt on a work trip?

Although it's not impossible, you may need to contact an attorney about your workers compensation options. We can examine your unique case and walk you through the process so you’re well-informed before filing.  

Personal Business Doesn't Count

Whether your injuries are counted will typically depend on the context and what you were doing when you were injured. If you were injured while on any personal business, you likely won't receive workers comp benefits for your injury.

For example, let's say you were at a conference for work and chose to go out for dinner that night. While you were returning to the hotel, you were hit by another driver. You're seriously injured, but because you were running a personal errand, you'll need to file an injury claim instead. Your employer generally won't cover these types of accidents.

Unfortunately, that leaves you to file a claim and get the compensation you deserve. However, there are some cases where workers comp is applicable.

When Your Injuries Are Work-Related

In some cases, you might have suffered a work-related injury on the road. Even if you weren't at the office or the work site, you might still receive compensation if you were doing something for your job.

For example, let's say that, at the conference, you slipped and fell, hitting your head and needing treatment. Because you were injured while doing something for your job, your workers comp benefits should apply.

Usually, the difference will depend on whether you were doing something related to your employment. For example, an accident while getting coffee for yourself is different from an accident while running an errand for your employer. As such, you may need to speak to your attorney about your claim.

Getting Compensation for a Business Trip Injury

When you're injured in an accident away from your usual workplace, you might have a little trouble determining whether you're eligible for workers comp. Fortunately, you might have the chance to get the full benefits you deserve, even if you weren't at your usual location.

Unfortunately, you might be struggling to understand whether you're eligible, or maybe your claim has already been denied. In either case, you'll need to seek out a Iowa workers comp lawyer from the Pothitakis Law Firm, PC and find out whether you can get workers comp after being hurt on your work trip.

Get started today by scheduling a free consultation. We'll help you determine whether your workers comp claim can be filed or appealed. When you're ready to begin, reach out by calling 319-754-6400 or by visiting us on our site.

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Injuries at Work: How to File for Work Comp Have you recently suffered a work-related injury? Do you need access to the workers compensation benefits that you’re entitled to? Filing for workers comp can be much easier when you work with an Iowa workers compensation attorney who can ensure that you obtain the benefits you need as soon as possible. Read on to learn more about how to file for workers comp in Iowa.

Reporting Your Condition to Your Employer

In order to qualify for workers compensation benefits, the first thing you must do is report your injury to your employer. This must be done within ninety days of the accident or from the date you were diagnosed with an injury relating to a work accident.

Your notification needs to be done both verbally and in writing. It should state your name and contact information, when your accidents occurred and which parts of your body were affected, and a formal request for workers compensation benefits. If you fail to notify your employer with this information within the ninety-day time frame, your claim for benefits may be denied.

The First Report of Injury

It is not your responsibility to file your claim for workers comp benefits with the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Your employer will be expected to send the First Report of Injury or Illness to the Division of Workers’ Comp and then file the claim with their workers comp insurance provider.

The insurance company will then determine whether or not you meet the eligibility requirements. This will involve an examination of your medical documentation, your wage information and work experience with your employer, and a possible independent medical examination or functional capacity evaluation.

The insurer will be expected to review your claim and make a decision in a timely manner. If your claim is approved, you will begin receiving benefits as soon as possible. If your claim is denied, you will receive a notice detailing their reasons for denial, and you can begin your appeal.

Consult with an Iowa Workers Comp Lawyer

If your employer is refusing to file your claim for workers comp benefits, or if your claim has been denied and you need help with the appeal, reach out to an experienced Iowa workers comp lawyer at Pothitakis Law Firm, PC. You can take advantage of your free case review today by visiting our website or giving our office a call at 1-866-PLF-IOWA (753-4692).

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Three Ways to Help Your Work Comp Claim

After an on-the-job accident, you need help getting back on your feet. Sadly, it’s not always easy. A mistake while the insurance company is investigating your claim could be costly. While you’ll be able to appeal if your first attempt is unsuccessful, getting the help you need now is important.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take now that will help you get the work comp benefits you deserve. By focusing on the following tips, you can expect better results from your case.  

1) Get Medical Attention

In some cases, you might not even feel especially bad after your work accident. You might have been in a serious accident, but you feel fine. But not all injuries are obvious immediately following an accident. And if you don’t seek medical attention right away, it could hurt your workers comp claim.

For example, maybe you were operating a forklift that crashed, causing a neck injury. But immediately following the crash, you felt fine and didn’t seek medical attention. Days or weeks later, your neck starts hurting, making it difficult or impossible to return to work. You’ve injured your neck and continued work has only made the injury worse, so you’ll need compensation.

But the work comp insurance companies might not be so willing to pay out for your injuries now. They’ll argue that you didn’t seek treatment and file your claim immediately after the accident, so your injury could have been a condition caused by something other than work. This will draw out the claim process, so be sure to call a lawyer or speak with your doctor about further exams.  

2) Stay Consistent

A major problem that many injured workers have is making sure the work comp insurance company can’t use their actions against them. Often, this is an issue of consistency in the eyes of the insurers.

People suffering even major impairments may still have good days where they’re able to walk farther, do household chores, or enjoy a hobby they previously couldn’t. Unfortunately, the insurance company may try to use this against you, gathering evidence from the following:

Security cameras

Doctors’ reports of your condition

Social media posts about activities

For example, let’s say you suffered from whiplash, but during your treatment, you had a good day and decided to do something more strenuous, like swimming. You or a friend posted pictures online, and your employer or insurer saw it. In these cases, they may bring up these photos as evidence that you’re not as hurt as you claimed.  

3) Get Legal Counsel from an Attorney

If you’re concerned about your work comp case, the best way to defend it is to work with someone who has the legal knowledge and experience to help you succeed. Fortunately, the workers comp lawyers at the Pothitakis Law Firm, PC can give you the help you need with your work comp claim.

To get started, schedule a free consultation. Call us at 1-866-PLF-IOWA (753-4692) or visit us online.

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Pothitakis Law Firm P.C. Fight for the compensation you deserve with an aggressive Iowa Personal Injury & Worker's Compensation Attorney at your side - Serving ALL of Iowa. Free consultation (319) 774-4672 http://www.pothitakislaw.com